Everything You Need To Know About This Month's Mercury Retrograde In Aries
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Another Mercury retrograde has arrived, and this one is heating things up. On March 9, Mercury entered Aries and directed our minds toward our passions, our progress, and our personal desires. On April 1, Mercury goes retrograde in this fire sign and will be in retrograde motion until April 25. Mercury retrograde in Aries is bold, but the energy can often be misdirected.
What April's Mercury Retrograde in Aries Has in Store for Your Sign
Extra precaution is needed when it comes to what you are taking initiative on right now and where you may need to put some goals on the back burner for the time being. This is not the time to overexert yourself; rather, this Mercury retro is reminding us that true power comes from self-trust.
Let’s get to the basics of what to do during a Mercury retrograde, and what not to do during a Mercury retrograde.
Do:
- Gain some renewed inspiration. Mercury retrogrades can be a really insightful and inspiring time if you are tapping into that creative energy that is brewing.
- Exercise. This Mercury retrograde is happening in Aries, so do like the Aries do when things feel chaotic and get your body moving.
- Communicate with confidence and speak on how you are feeling to prevent any miscommunications.
- Meditate. We need a little more of this calming energy right now.
Don’t:
- Sign any important contracts or deals if you can.
- Travel. If you have to, make sure you plan everything thoroughly and re-check everything before you leave.
- Be impulsive. Impulsion can lead to making irrational decisions right now.
- Take things personally. It’s Mercury retro. Let’s give yourself and everyone else some extra grace during this time.
This Mercury retrograde in Aries is a reality check. It’s here to awaken where your heart has been leading you, and where you may need to rethink some plans and goals. With two eclipses happening during this Mercury retrograde, a lot is happening right now, and things can get chaotic if you are not centering yourself, focusing on your goals and intentions, and finding the gifts in the present moment.
Mercury in Aries is always a few steps ahead, but in retrograde motion, we may need to feel things out a little more before taking those steps.
Read below to see how this Mercury retrograde transit will be affecting you. Read for your sun sign and rising sign.
Read your April Mercury retrograde horoscope predictions:
ARIES
This Aries Season is one for the books for you, Aries. Not only is the Sun in your sign, but there is a Solar Eclipse in your sign, as well as Mercury retrograde. When Mercury retrograde is in your own sign, you always feel it a little more than the other signs, and right now, you need some time to get grounded and plan your next steps. Your personal and professional goals are being looked at right now, and you are figuring out where you can experience a new beginning financially and personally.
This Mercury retrograde is reminding you of the work you have already done and continue to do, and that it’s not the time to count yourself out yet. New developments are taking place for you, but right now you are making sure all your ducks are in a row first.
TAURUS
You are walking away from an old way of doing things right now, Taurus. This Mercury retrograde for you is about putting your heart first and taking your emotional well-being as the highest priority in your life. With this Mercury retrograde happening in your 12th house of closure, you are seeking just that right now. The past may be coming up for you more during this transit, so just remember that oftentimes this happens for a chance at healing, rather than to let someone back into your life.
This isn’t the time to entertain the past or see things better than they were, but it is a time of reflection and learning the lessons. What’s being brought up for you now is doing so so that you can release, replenish, and renew. Get some time away during this Mercury retrograde, and allow yourself the space to process and heal.
GEMINI
This Mercury retrograde is bringing clarity and emotional nourishment into your life, Gemini. You are taking a look at the big picture right now and finding your way through the love that you are ready to embrace in your life. Friendships, support systems, and your community are all highlighted, and you are overcoming feeling misunderstood or separated from those spaces you want to be immersed in more. There could be some miscommunication within friendships and social networks right now as you think about who your people are, and where you are feeling supported within your friendships and community.
Past goals, future goals, and the progress of them all come up for review for you during this time. Communicate from the heart, nourish the connections and friendships that feel good for you, and give yourself a break from always having to say the right thing or be the person you think others want you to be. This Mercury retrograde is helping you align with your freedom.
CANCER
This Mercury retrograde is helping you tap into your inner muse, Cancer. Your emotions are highlighted right now, but so are your goals and the life you want to lead. Your career and professional goals may feel a little more confusing or chaotic for you now as more pressure is being added to this area of your life. Your guidance for this time is to get creative with what you can do here and to trust that you have it in your heart to build new connections and embrace new opportunities in your professional world.
This is a good time to gain clarity and plan out some of the new goals you want to achieve this year, but to also look back on the past work done and pat yourself on the back for all that you have already achieved and accomplished in life. Be your biggest cheerleader right now and don’t wait for anyone to give you approval first.
LEO
This Mercury retrograde is reminding you to not get too ahead of things before you have truly grasped the implication of them, Leo. There is a lot to confront and deal with during this retrograde transit, and an open mind is needed to navigate this time. With this Mercury retrograde happening in your 9th house of expansion and travel, some extra precaution should be taken if you have any travel plans during this time, and know that detours may be necessary.
Overall, it’s about the perspectives you are choosing and which ones you are letting go of right now. Your peace of mind and clarity of heart are the priority, and it’s a good time to be out in nature, get some space from the busyness of life, and trust that you are being led to where you need to be.
VIRGO
Life is coming together for you in a new way right now, Virgo. This Mercury retrograde will be happening in your 8th house of commitments, shared finances, resources, and rebirth. You are moving through a time of change, but are overall able to see where the success is and can be in your life, and how to move closer to that. This is the time to find the balance between giving and receiving and to put some extra care and attention towards your finances and commitments.
How you are feeling within holds great importance to what you are experiencing outside of you, and you are bridging that gap right now and claiming your abundance in the process. Life is coming full circle for you during this Mercury retrograde, and you are finding out what success and connection truly mean for you today.
LIBRA
Value your time, value your energy, and value your heart, Libra. With this Mercury retrograde happening in the sign opposite of yours, your love life is being highlighted during this time. It can feel a little more difficult to maintain your balance in your close relationships during this retrograde, and misunderstandings here are more likely. Give yourself and others the space to figure things out and allow more love to fill in those spaces where pain has been.
Things may be turning out differently than expected, but they are overall leading you to more nourishing and safe spaces in love and your one-on-one partnerships. This Mercury retrograde for you overall is a reminder that you deserve to receive the love you give, and letting go of codependency habits or relationships will help you get there.
SCORPIO
This Mercury retrograde is a time for you to plan, rethink, and re-coordinate your next steps, Scorpio. Timing is of the essence, but you may need some more of it before you have the full picture needed to see your previous plans through. Know that divine intervention is at play right now, and this is a good time to focus on taking care of your health, creating a good daily routine, and moving away from doing things just to do them.
The answers you are looking for may need some more time to come through right now, and by listening to your body you can better connect to the lessons of it all. By the time this Mercury retrograde is over and Mercury is direct again, you are going to have a better idea of what gifts are being offered to you, and why you needed a pause or a break before you were able to receive them.
SAGITTARIUS
It’s time to focus on your perspective, the beauty in your life, and where your heart has been needing to heal, Sagittarius. This Mercury retrograde for you is an eye-opening time for your relationships, hobbies, passions, and self-expression; and a time when you may feel the need to hold onto things tighter when you need to let go more. Know that decisions made from the heart will feel good for you when you make them, and fear-based decisions are going to feel more restrictive and heavy.
Weigh out all options and possible paths, and choose from the heart rather than what you fear you may lose. Overall, you are getting a new perspective on what your heart needs and on what is going to make you truly happy in life right now. This Mercury retrograde is helping you make better decisions for yourself and your future.
CAPRICORN
You are gaining some clarity on the support systems in your life, and where you can feel more secure here, Capricorn. This Mercury retrograde will be moving through your 4th house of home, family, foundations, and emotional well-being, and it’s helping you create a new beginning here. You may be feeling more pressure in the home or your time and energy may be needed more from your loved ones, and you are being guided to only take on the things you can truly emotionally handle right now.
This is a good time to spend more time around the people who make you feel more nourished rather than emotionally drained and to recognize the need for more companionship in your life. This Mercury retrograde may emotionally rock the boat for you a little, but overall, you are aligning with the work that needs to be done and who you want by your side through it all.
AQUARIUS
Honor your strength, be patient with yourself, and communicate your needs, Aquarius. During this Mercury retrograde, you can feel more confused about where things are and where they are headed, and you need some time to gain some inner clarity. Perspectives are changing, and people around you are changing, but it’s up to you to define who you are, what you stand for, and what you want to speak about.
Communication channels may feel more heavy for you right now and it’s important to let go of the things that don’t benefit your mental health. Take a social media detox, read a good book, journal your thoughts when you are feeling lost, meditate when you need to feel more grounded, and trust that this too shall pass, Aquarius. Your strength is needed during this time.
PISCES
This Mercury retrograde is bringing things to fruition and giving you clarity on your personal finances, Pisces. How you value your time, energy, and skill set are being highlighted now, and you are being reminded that your worth is based upon what you place on it. When you can celebrate yourself more and see yourself as the successful and worthy being you are, you show people how they should treat you, and you align with that source of abundance.
You are building a new experience for yourself financially right now, and this Mercury retrograde is clearing away what’s been in the way of that. Connect with people who love and support you when you are feeling low or incapable, and remember that you are so much more loved and supported than you know. This Mercury retrograde for you is the next step towards greater financial freedom.
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Tayler Barakat is a Mystic who has studied Astrology for over a decade. She does intuitive astrology and tarot readings for people all over the world, and her work focuses on healing and empowering individuals. Follow her on Instagram @taylerbarakat_ and check out her website www.listentothevirgo.com.
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams has always marched to the beat of her own brutally honest drum — and that’s exactly what makes her so magnetic to watch. Whether she’s making us laugh until we cry on The Ms. Pat Show or now laying down the law on her courtroom series Ms. Pat Settles It, the comedian-turned-judge proves time and again that there’s nobody quite like her. Unfiltered, hilarious, and real to the core, she’s made a name for herself by turning her life’s journey — including the pain — into purpose.
Now in her second season of Ms. Pat Settles It, airing on BET and BET+, she’s not only delivering verdicts — she’s dishing out life lessons in between the laughs. The show feels less like your typical courtroom drama and more like your outspoken auntie running a court session at the family cookout, complete with celebrity jurors, petty disputes, and a whole lot of real talk. xoNecole sat down with Ms. Pat to talk about her wildest cases, balancing motherhood and fame, and why sleeping in separate bedrooms might just be the key to joy.
CASE CLOSED, BUT MAKE IT CHAOS
If you’ve ever tuned in to Ms. Pat Settles It, you already know the episode titles alone deserve awards. But when we asked Ms. Pat which case stood out most, she didn’t even have to think twice. “There was this one woman — Shay — who got out of federal prison and was working for her old bunkmate. But the bunkmate didn’t want to pay her!” she says, chuckling. “That girl came in the courtroom like a firecracker.”
It’s moments like those that remind viewers Ms. Pat isn’t just bringing the laughs — she’s giving people a platform, even if it’s a little messy. And if her court ever gets turned into a real-life franchise, we need Shay on the promo posters immediately.
WHEN THE CELEBS SHOW OUT
It’s already hard enough to get a word in with Ms. Pat running the show, but throw in a celebrity jury featuring Tamar Braxton, Ray J, TS Madison, and Karlous Miller? Whew. “I don’t even try to control them,” she laughs. “Thank God we have something called editing.” According to her, behind the scenes, things get wild — but that chaos is part of the magic. “People only see the cut-down version. What you don’t see is all of us losing it in real time.”
Still, Ms. Pat makes it work. The courtroom becomes a stage, but also a safe space for guests and jurors to show up as their full, unfiltered selves. “It was a wild season,” she explains. Let’s be honest — if your jury looks like a BET Awards afterparty, you might as well let it rock.
IF FAMILY COURT WAS REALLY A THING
Ms. Pat might wear the robe on screen, but at home, she’s still managing her own wild bunch. When asked what kind of case her kids would bring into her courtroom, she burst into laughter. “Oh, they’d be suing my oldest son for eating their food,” she says. “You know how you have that one roommate that eats up everybody’s food? I can see my oldest son getting sued for that..”
And let’s face it, we’ve all either been that sibling or have one. Ms. Pat says moments like that — the everyday family squabbles and real-life irritations — are what make her courtroom show so relatable.
THE VERDICT SHE WISHES SHE COULD REWRITE
Ms. Pat is known for keeping it real, even when the conversation turns serious. When asked if there was one “verdict” in her real life she’d change, she pauses for a second before answering. “I wish I had graduated high school,” she admits. “All my kids went to prom and I took all of their high school diplomas.”
“I wish I had graduated high school,” she admits. “All my kids went to prom and I took all of their high school diplomas.”
It’s a rite of passage in most Black households — your diploma doesn’t really belong to you, it lives at your mama or grandma’s house like a family heirloom.
HOW SHE STAYS GROUNDED
Between filming TV shows, headlining comedy tours, and running a household, Ms. Pat makes it very clear: she will find time to rest. “People swear I don’t sleep, but I do — I just knock out early and wake up early,” she shares. “And sometimes, I’ll just sit in my car.” She’s also a big fan of solo naps and mini getaways when things get overwhelming.
But one of her favorite forms of self-care? Separate bedrooms. “Me and my husband don’t sleep in the same room. That way, when I don’t feel like being bothered, I go to my space,” she laughs. She’s also found a new love for facials. “They’re addicting! I don’t need a lot — just sleep, a facial, and a little quiet.” Honestly? That’s a self-care routine we can get behind.
FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE
Ms. Pat’s story is one that’s deeply rooted in resilience — and she’s always been transparent about how her journey shaped her. Her advice to other Black women trying to turn their pain into purpose? Speak up. “You have to tell your story,” she says. “Because once you tell your story, you realize you’re not the only person that’s been through that situation.”
She adds that sharing your truth can be one of the most powerful things you do. “When you give a voice to pain so many other people who have that pain gravitate to you,” she says. “To heal, you have to speak out loud about it. What you keep inside is what eats you up.” Coming from someone who built an entire brand on truth-telling? We believe her.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MS. PAT?
While Ms. Pat’s got her hands full with Ms. Pat Settles It and her comedy show, she hints there’s much more to come. “I got some stuff poppin’ that I can’t even talk about yet,” she teases. “But just know, like Kendrick [Lamar] said, we about to step out and show ‘em something.” That multi-genre deal with BET and Paramount is clearly working in her favor — and she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
She says one of her proudest moments in this chapter of her career is seeing things she once dreamed of finally come to life. “In this business, you never know what’s gonna work or what’s gonna stick. But now I’m working with a network that really understands me — and that’s special,” she says. “I feel seen. And I’m just getting started.”
Whether she’s in the courtroom cracking jokes or catching up on rest in her own sanctuary, Ms. Pat is living proof that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of authenticity. She’s rewriting the rules in real time — on her terms, in her voice, and for her people. As she continues to turn pain into purpose, laughter into legacy, and everyday mess into must-see TV, one thing’s clear: Ms. Pat is in her prime. And we’re lucky enough to watch it unfold.
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